Report: Chicago Cubs want Tarik Skubal “badly,” per insider

The Chicago Cubs, per president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer himself, will be focused on pitching this offseason. That, actually, should go without saying.

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The team’s entire end-of-season starting rotation is headed off into free agency—Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, and David Peterson. The remaining starting pitchers on staff—Cade Horton, Justin Steele, Ben Brown, Edward Cabrera—are dealing with injury and/or consistency related issues and it’s unclear how much they will contribute in 2027.

All of this leaves the team with some big question marks and doubts heading into the coming season where the window of opportunity to win is seemingly closing quickly. Chicago’s Wild Card series sweep at the hands of the San Diego Padres has made many doubt whether they’ll be in a position to contend again before that window closes.

But would an ace, Hall of Fame-level, headline-blasting free agent pickup energize the team and get some momentum behind it again? Maybe. Signing free agent starter Tarik Skubal would certainly be the test of whether one showcase acquisition could turn around the fortunes of a club.

Cubs want Skubal “badly”

Tarik Skubal, Chicago Cubs — Oct 3, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) throws during the third inning of game one of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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According to a recent report from Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Cubs would very much like to get the veteran two-time Cy Young Award winner atop their rotation to see what he could do as the centerpiece of a rebuilt staff.

Per Passan:

“The Chicago Cubs badly want Skubal. They also are skeptical that they will be willing to compete at the sort of dollars Skubal is expected to get — well in excess of $300 million, potentially in the $400 million-plus range.”

Passan also notes, however, that the big-spending Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are likely to be suitors for the lefty with the career 3.02 ERA. There will also be many other suitors emerging as the offseason goes on, some just as desperate for starting pitching as the Cubs.

Would the Cubs be willing to spend as much as $400 million over 7-8 years on a pitcher currently days away from his thirtieth birthday? History says no way.

The last big-time multi-year contract they issued to a free agent pitcher was the 6-year, $126 million deal they gave to Yu Darvish back in 2018—and, even then, they ended up trading Darvish, and their monetary obligations, after just three years.

Money well-spent?

Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts (R) smiles next to Chicago Cubs President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer (L) before a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Cubs will have the money to splurge on a Skubal contract, as more than $100 million will be coming off the books this offseason. But with so much need in the rotation—as well as the bullpen, the corner outfield spots, and catcher—it’s debatable whether spending a large chunk of their available funds on just one asset is the smartest of baseball decisions right now.

In a perfect world, maybe they could snatch up Skubal and bring in another quality starter via trade—maybe George Kirby from the Mariners—as a budget-responsible approach to their rotation needs.

But as we all know, this is hardly ever a perfect world.

Whatever the case, the Cubs will need to make some big moves this offseason or face another disappointing run to the postseason.

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